Factors associated with influenza vaccine noncompliance at a Rural Texas University

Abstract

Objective: To investigate influenza vaccination rates and perceptions underlying vaccine noncompliance. Participants: Participants included undergraduate students (N = 365) at a rural, medium-sized university in Texas. Methods: Students were anonymously surveyed in the spring of 2018 on demographics, insurance status, perceived barriers of influenza vaccination, and vaccination status. Results: Nearly 90% of students had health insurance; however, only 30% of them received the influenza vaccination annually. The top two reasons for non-vaccination were the low perceived threat (20.20%) and having a busy schedule (11.10%). Having health insurance [OR: 2.84, CI: (1.16, 7.0)] and being in the younger age group (18–24) [OR: 1.98, CI: (1.11, 3.54)] were both positively associated with the annual vaccination status. Conclusion: Health education efforts should be focused on vaccination initiatives that increase awareness about the health benefits and ease of access, especially among the older age groups (> =25 years). Information on myths versus facts should also be disseminated.

Keywords:

• College
• influenza
• perceptions
• universities
• vaccination

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to our student workers, Nkechinyere (Chanel) Nwankwo and Blair Loskorn, who assisted us with the data collection process, data entry, and some preliminary analysis.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Tarleton State University.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Office of Research and Innovation at Tarleton State University.